Planting Pot

ABSTRACT

A planting pot comprising a biodegradable container comprising an open top portion and an open bottom portion, a planting medium for a plant located within the container, the planting medium comprising a top surface, an upper layer of material, a lower layer of material, and a middle layer of material disposed between the upper and lower layers of material, a hollow irrigation line comprising an upper portion above the top surface of the planting medium and a lower portion within the planting medium, at least a portion of the lower portion of the irrigation line comprising multiple openings to permit irrigation water to flow there through into the planting medium, a moisture sensor disposed within the planting medium, and a plant planted in the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/682,447 titled “A Planting Pot,” filed Aug. 21, 2017, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

There are many countries around the world, including parts of the UnitedStates, that are dealing with various climate issues that are havingadverse effects on trees. Currently, there are 168 countries that aresuffering from “Desertification”, which essentially means that lands areturning into deserts. This devastating process is happening to abouttwo-thirds of the world's grasslands, and accelerating climate change iscausing social chaos in traditional grazing societies. This is a veryserious problem.

Additionally, there's also the issue of being able to effectivelyconserve water. And places like the Middle East constantly deal withsand storms, which leave dirt and sand residue over trees and then morewater is needed to cleanse the trees.

Typical irrigation systems involve arbitrarily spraying a large amountof water on the soil around the trees in order to insure an adequateamount actually reaches the roots below soil level. Drought-affectedplaces cannot afford to waste water in this fashion. As a result, treesare either very expensive or not grown at all. Drip systems are alsoknown, but they are still hard to gauge how much water is making its waydown to the roots of the plants.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved planting pot, andparticularly trees, which reduces the amount of water needed to beexpended on the trees in order for them to grow.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a planting potcomprising a) a biodegradable container comprising an open top portionand a closed bottom portion, the closed bottom portion having at leastone drainage opening for drainage of water therefrom; b) a plantingmedium for a plant located within the container, the planting mediumcomprising a top surface, an upper layer of material, and a lower layerof material; c) an irrigation system comprising an irrigation line influid communication with at least two vertically oriented posts, theposts comprising an upper portion above the top surface of the plantingmedium and a lower portion within the planting medium, at least aportion of the lower portion of the posts being hollow and comprisingmultiple openings to permit irrigation water to flow there through intothe planting medium; d) a plant planted in the container; and e) a shadesupported by the upper portions of the posts for shading the plant.

The biodegradable container can be made from unfired clay. Optionally,the biodegradable container further comprises palm fiber mixed with theunfired clay, and the palm fiber comprises from about 10% to about 30%by volume of the mixture. The upper layer of material can be selectedfrom the group consisting of topsoil and potting soil, and the lowerlayer of material is selected from the group consisting of hay, gravel,and sand. At least a portion of the container is disposed within theground, and the planting pot can further comprise at least one moisturesensor disposed within the planting medium. Optionally, the shade can bemade from polyethylene.

In a second embodiment, the present invention is directed to a plantingpot comprising a) a container comprising an open top portion and aclosed bottom portion, the bottom portion having at least one drainageopening for drainage of water therefrom; b) a planting medium for aplant located within the container, the planting medium comprising atop; c) an irrigation system comprising an irrigation line in fluidcommunication with at least two vertically oriented posts, the postscomprising an upper portion above the top of the planting medium and alower portion within the planting medium, at least a portion of thelower portion of the posts being hollow and comprising multiple openingsto permit irrigation water to flow there through into the plantingmedium; and d) a shade supported by the upper portions of the posts forshading a plant in the container. The container can be biodegradable.

Optionally, the top of each post is at least 6 inches above the top ofthe planting medium, and the bottom portion of the container is locatedbelow a ground surface. Optionally, the planting pot can furthercomprise a layer of silt disposed on at least a portion of an outsidesurface of the container.

In a third embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method ofplanting a tree comprising the steps of: a) grasping the planting pot;b) placing the planting pot within a ground surface; and c) before orafter step b) planting a tree in the planting medium.

In a fourth embodiment, the present invention is directed to a plantingpot disposed within a ground surface comprising: a) a containercomprising an open top portion and a closed bottom portion, the closedbottom portion disposed below the ground surface; b) a planting mediumfor a plant located within the container, the planting medium comprisinga top, an upper layer of material and a lower layer of material; c) anirrigation system comprising an irrigation line in fluid communicationwith at least two vertically oriented posts, the posts comprising anupper portion above the top of the planting medium and a lower portionwithin the planting medium, at least a portion of the lower portion ofthe posts being hollow and comprising multiple openings to permitirrigation water to flow there through into the planting medium; and d)a shade supported by the upper portion of the posts for shading a plantin the container. The container can be biodegradable.

In a fourth embodiment, the present invention is directed to a plantingpot comprising a biodegradable container comprising an open top portionand an open bottom portion, a planting medium for a plant located withinthe container, the planting medium comprising a top surface, an upperlayer of material, a lower layer of material, and a middle layer ofmaterial disposed between the upper and lower layers of material, ahollow irrigation line comprising an upper portion above the top surfaceof the planting medium and a lower portion within the planting medium,at least a portion of the lower portion of the irrigation linecomprising multiple openings to permit irrigation water to flow therethrough into the planting medium, a moisture sensor disposed within theplanting medium, and a plant planted in the container.

In a sixth embodiment, the present invention is directed to a system forgrowing a plurality of plants in a row, the system comprising a trenchdisposed within a ground surface, the trench having an open topproximate the ground surface, a closed bottom below the ground surface,two opposed sides and two opposed ends, two sheets of biodegradablematerial, one sheet disposed along each opposed side of the trench, eachsheet having a bottom edge proximate to the bottom of the trench and atop edge proximate to the open top of the trench, wherein a distancebetween bottom edges of the sheets is less than a distance between thetop edges of the sheets, and a planting medium for plants, the plantingmedium comprising a top surface, an upper layer of material, a lowerlayer of material, and a middle layer of material disposed between theupper and lower layers of material.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a first planting pot havingfeatures of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container according to the plantingpot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top part of the planting pot of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second planting pot having features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the second planting pot of FIG.4, taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a system for growing a plurality ofplants in a row having features of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the system of FIG. 6, taken alongline 7-7.

DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have themeanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended bythe contest in which such term is used.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are tobe construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless theirusage in context indicates otherwise.

As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of theterm, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to excludeother additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a planting pot 100 for growingplants. The planting pot 100 comprises a container 102, an irrigationsystem 103 comprising an irrigation line 104 in fluid communication withat least two vertically oriented posts 106, planting medium 107, and ashade 108. The planting pot 100 is designed to deliver water to a rootzone 109 of a plant 110 planted in the container 102, while insulatingthe plant 110 from surface heat. It also shields young plants 110 fromsun and wind. Optionally, moisture sensors 112 can be used to monitormoisture levels in the planting medium 107.

The plant 110 can be any type of plant, including but not limited to ashrub, a bush, a flowering plant, a vine, or a tree. The plant 110 canbe fruit or non-fruit bearing, used for commercial or industrialpurposes, or used strictly for decorative/landscaping purposes.

The container 102 has a top portion 114 and a bottom portion 116. Thetop portion 114 is open for receiving the plant 110 therein, and thebottom portion 116 is closed. At least a portion of the bottom portion116 is placed below surrounding soil level 130 such that the sides andbottom of the container 102 are surrounded by surrounding soil 120. Thebottom portion 116 comprises a plurality of openings 118 to permit waterto leave the container 102 and enter the surrounding soil 120. Thecontainer 102 can be made from biodegradable material. Preferably thecontainer 102 is made from unfired clay, and most preferably the unfiredclay is mixed with palm tree fibers. Optionally, the unfired clay ismixed with hay or straw, that is finely chopped, and preferablyagriculture quality. The ideal concentration/amount of palm fibers inthe mixture is about 15% to about 20% of the mixture by volume; however,the concentration can range from about 10% to about 30% of the mixtureby volume. The mixture of clay and fibers provides strength and rigidityfor placing the planting pot 100 in the ground, while maintaining thenecessary fragility to break when the plants 110 roots grow large enoughto burst out of the container 102 into the surrounding soil 120.Additionally, the fiber mixed with the clay creates a strong structureand can aid in the prevention of bacterial growth within the container102. The clay can be baked in the sun and does not require any sort ofoven. Baking it in the sun is much more cost efficient than utilizing agas or electricity powered oven. Preferably, the clay particles used tomake the container 102 comprise finely graded clay, where more than 50%of the particles pass through a no. 200 sieve. Optionally, the container102 can comprise a 4 to 1 ratio of clay to sand. The sand utilized canbe clean, washed, construction grade, where more than 50% of the sandparticles pass through a no. 4 sieve.

The top portion 114 of the container 102 (approximately the upper 20% ofthe volume of the container 102) is typically narrower and has a smallerdiameter than the bottom portion 116 of the container 102 (approximatelythe lower 20% of volume of the container 102). The bottom portion 116 ofthe container 102 can be from about 1 foot to about 2.5 feet indiameter, and the top portion 114 can be from about 6 inches to about 3feet in diameter. The container 102 can be from about 3 to about 5 feetin height, and the walls 122 can be from about 0.25 inches to about 1inch thick. Preferably the top portion 114 is approximately 1 foot indiameter, the bottom portion 116 is approximately 3 feet in diameter,and the walls 122 are about 0.5 inches thick. The walls 122 provideinsulation and minimize moisture loss from evaporation and diffusion.The tapered shape of the container 102 is desired because the smallerdiameter of the top portion 114 helps reduce the amount of moisture lostfrom the container 102. However, these dimensions can be scaled up ordown as desired, depending on the application/expected size of the plantbeing grown therein.

Optionally, the container 102 can be constructed in three pieces. Thecontainer 102 can be split down the middle vertically to form a fronthalf and a back half, and the lower portion 116 (or base) can also be aseparate piece. Constructing the container 102 in three pieces providesease of transport for the containers 102 to the locations where they areinstalled.

The container 102 can contain planting medium 107. Preferably, theplanting medium 107 comprises a top surface 123, an upper layer ofmaterial 124 and a lower layer of material 126. The upper layer material124 provides growth support to the plant 110 planted in the container102, and can be selected from the follow materials: top soil (top soilis typically a rich layer of soil where most nutrients for plants arefound), top soil mixed with animal waste to act as a fertilizer, pottingsoil (potting soil is typically a mixture of loam, peat, sand, andnutrients, used as a growing medium for plants in containers), and othermaterials having the same type of properties with regard to growingplants. The selection of the upper layer of material 124 entirelydepends on the type of plant 110 planted therein. The lower layer ofmaterial 126 is configured and sufficiently porous to facilitatedrainage of water from inside the container 102 to the surrounding soil120. The lower layer of material 126 can be selected from the followmaterials: sand, hay, gravel, and other materials having the same typeof properties with regard to facilitating drainage of water. In theevent there is rain or flooding, and the upper layer of material 124 issaturated with water, any excess water must be able to leave thecontainer 102.

Additionally, silt 138 comprised of dirt, soil or clay mixed with water,can be disposed around an entire outside surface of the container 102,as shown in FIG. 1. The dirt, soil or clay that is used to form the silt138 is made of fine particles, where more than 50% of the particles passthrough a no. 200 sieve, such that a mud or slurry can be formed.Optionally, the silt 138 can be disposed around approximately the top40% of the outside surface of the container 102. The silt 138 can beinstalled when the container 102 is created. The purpose of the silt 138is to act as insulation to protect the planting medium 107 inside thecontainer 102 from moisture loss. The first two feet from the topsurface 123 of planting medium 107 is vulnerable to heat retention fromthe sun, especially in areas that are consistently above 95 degrees. Thesilt 138 helps insulate these first two feet of material 124 within thecontainer. Additionally, moisture loss also happens at night. Again, theinsulating silt 138 helps prevent too much moisture from leaving theplanting medium 107. The silt 138 can be painted or sprayed onto theoutside surface of the container 102, and typically is applied in alayer approximately 0.25 inches to about 1 inch thick. The layer of silt138 need not be uniform in thickness.

The irrigation line 104 is configured to deliver water to the plantingpot 100 and facilitate growth of the plant 110 planted within thecontainer 102. The irrigation line 104 can be made from polyvinylchloride (PVC), plastic, or metal, and is coupled to the water source,such as irrigation pumps, utilized the grower. The irrigation line 104is typically from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch in inside diameterand can has a pressure rating from about 0 to about 60 PSI. Theirrigation line 104 is in fluid communication with the verticallyoriented posts 106, as best shown in FIG. 3. There is an opening in theirrigation line 104 that aligns with an opening in the verticallyoriented posts 106 such that water can pass from the irrigation line 104into the vertically oriented posts 106. Optionally, the irrigation line104 can also have one or more drippers 136 coupled to the line 104 toprovide drip irrigation as well. The irrigation line 104 can comprisemore than one irrigation line 104.

The posts 106 are in fluid communication with the irrigation line 104,as noted above. The posts 106 extend vertically upward, away from thetop 123 of the planting medium 107, and have an upper portion 128 abovethe top surface 123 of the planting medium 107 and a lower portion 132within the planting medium 107. Typically, the upper portion 128 extendsapproximately 2 to 4 feet above the top 123 of the planting medium 107,and the lower portion 132 extends approximately 1 to 2 feet down intothe planting medium 107, making the posts 106 approximately 3 to 6 feetlong. The posts 106 can be made from bamboo poles, plastic, PVC, metalor wood, and at least the lower portion 132 has a hollow portion toallow water to travel therethrough and into the planting medium 107.Preferably the posts 106 are made from hollow bamboo poles so that theyare biodegradable.

The lower portion 132 of the posts 106 comprise multiple openings 134 topermit water to leave the posts 106 and enter the planting medium 107contained in the container 102. The openings 134 can be any size, buttypically are about 0.5 inches in inside diameter. Because the posts 106deliver water down into the planting medium 107 close to the roots ofthe plant 110, they contribute to preventing water from evaporating tosurrounding air, particularly in hot, arid climates. This reduces theamount of water needed to irrigate the plant 110. There are at least twoposts 106, and preferably there are four posts 106, as best shown inFIG. 3. The posts 106 can be in close proximity to the plant 110 andsurround the plant 110 in a circle. This configuration contributes tocreating shade around the plant 110 and helps protect against strong,damaging winds. Additionally, if the plant 110 is a tree, preferably theposts 106 are at least two feet apart from each other. If the posts 106are less than 2 feet apart, the surrounding shade 108 may start torestrict outward branching of the tree 110.

The shade 108 is supported by the upper portions 128 of the posts 106and can be made from plastic, polyethylene, burlap, and natural fibers.Preferably the shade 108 is made from natural fibers/materials availablein the location where the planting pot 100 is being used. The shade 108is advantageous because it provides shade and reduces the amount ofsunlight and wind that can reach and damage the growing plant 110. Insome areas, direct sunlight provides too much heat and strong winds canseverely damage young plants 110. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, theshade 108 can be coupled to four posts 106 and encircle the growingplant 110 on all sides, leaving an open top such that some sunlight canstill reach the plant 110.

The moisture sensor 112 can be disposed within the planting medium 107,proximate the root zone 109 of the plant 110. The moisture sensor 112provides an alarm that notifies the user if the moisture content of theplanting medium 107 inside the container 102 is too high or too low. Themoisture sensor 112 can be wireless and send a signal to a program thatspecifies how much water each kind of tree or plant 110 is to receivebased on need, weather, and type of plant, among other things.Optionally the moisture sensor 112 could be wirelessly connected to anapplication on a smart phone to notify the grower if the moisturecontent of the planting medium 107 inside the container 102 is too highor too low. Optionally, the moisture sensor 112 can be wirelessly orwire connected to a computerized program that oversees and regulates thewatering process. The computer program can be programmed by the growerto provide the necessary amount of water based upon signals receivedfrom the moisture sensor 112. Each moisture sensor 112 can controlapproximately twenty plants or trees 110 (one type of plant or tree pertwenty depending on type of tree, location, purpose (i.e. fruit bearingvs. not fruit bearing), and weather). This provides more control overand increase efficiency of the watering process.

There can be more than one sensor 112 in the same area in order todetect a moisture sensor 112 failure. Sensors in general can fail ordegrade over time, depending on the type of sensor and the environmentto which it is exposed, especially if the moisture sensors 112 arelocated in an extreme desert environment. Accordingly, if the plantingpot 100 has three (3) soil moisture sensors 112 in the same area, andone of them is giving a reading very different from the other two, thenthe moisture sensor 112 may have failed or become disconnected and couldalert the grower to the problem.

Alternatively, the moisture sensor 112 can be located on top of theplanting medium 107. Modern residential sprinkler controllers areequipped with weather stations and can automatically adjust wateringbased on temperature, rain, amount of sun exposure (based on latitude),and type of plant in each zone, and such a system could be utilizedhere.

In the event that this planting pot 100 is being used in a desert whereelectricity can be hard to access, solar panels could be used togenerate the power needed to run the moisture sensors 112 and/or waterpump and/or irrigation system. Additionally, if the moisture sensors 112and irrigation pumps run off of solar power, it can be necessary to haverechargeable batteries in addition to solar panels. When the irrigationpumps are running, they may require more power than the solar panels canproduce, especially if the pumps try to run when a cloud is blocking thesunlight. In that instance, energy stored the batteries can be utilized.

A method of planting a plant is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The method comprisesthe steps of: a) grasping the planting pot 100; b) placing the plantingpot 100 within a ground surface 130; and c) before or after step b)planting a tree in the planting medium 107. Optionally, the container102 can be placed in the ground surface 130 first, and then the plantingmedium 107 can be placed inside the container 102. After planting medium107 is placed inside the container 102, the tree 110 can be planted inthe container 102. Next, the posts 106 can be placed around the tree 110and coupled to the irrigation line 104, and finally, the shade 108 canbe coupled to the posts 106. Optionally, before or after placing theplanting medium 107 in the container 102, the sensor 112 can be placedin the planting medium 107.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a planting pot 400 forgrowing plants 410. The planting pot 400 comprises a biodegradablecontainer 402, a planting medium 404 contained therein, a hollowirrigation line 406, a moisture sensor 408, and optionally a plant 410planted in the container 402.

The biodegradable container 402 comprises an open top portion 412 andoptionally an open bottom portion 414. The biodegradable container 402can be made from four sheets 415 of clay assembled into a box with anopen top and an open bottom. Preferably the sheets 415 of clay areapproximately 24 inches tall, 14 inches wide, and 0.5 to 1 inch thick.The dimensions of the sheets 415 can be scaled up or down depending onthe application. Typically, natural clay that does not have anyadditives is used to make the sheets 415. The sheets 415 are made bytaking natural clay (typically removed from the ground nearby) anddrying it. Once dried, the dried clay forms clay sand. The clay sand isthen reconstituted back into malleable clay by adding water and mixingthe clay sand and water mixture with a high powered mixer. Typically,the ratio is 2 parts clay sand to 1 part water. Once reconstituted, thesheets 415 are formed—either by hand rolling or formed using frames.Once formed, the sheets 415 are then high-fired at a controlled cone 4firing for 4 hours. Once fired, the sheets 415 are then slow cooled toambient room temperature. Optionally, the clay can be baked in the sun.The use of clay without any additives, and the cone 4 firing, isdesirable because at some point the sheets 415 will dissolve and getabsorbed back into the earth. Additionally, in the event the plantsroots contained therein outgrow the container 402, the roots are able tobreak through the clay sheets 415. If the clay had additives, or thesheets 415 were fired for a longer period of time, the sheets 415 wouldnot breakdown and biodegrade and would not permit the roots to break outif needed.

Preferably, the clay particles used to make the container 402 comprisefinely graded clay, where more than 50% of the particles pass through ano. 200 sieve. Optionally, the container 402 can comprise a 4 to 1 ratioof clay to sand. The sand utilized can be clean, washed, constructiongrade, where more than 50% of the sand particles pass through a no. 4sieve.

The planting medium 404 for a plant 410 is located within the container402. The planting medium 404 comprises a top surface 416, an upper layerof material 418, a middle layer of material 420, and a lower layer ofmaterial 420. The middle layer of material 420 is disposed between theupper 418 and lower 422 layers of material. Optionally, but lesspreferably, additional layers of material can be disposed between theupper, middle and lower layers of material, 418, 420, 422, additionallayers of material can be disposed above the upper layer of material418, and additional layers of material can be disposed below the lowerlayer of material 422. This application is just dealing with the upper,middle and lower layers of material 418, 420, 422 in their relativepositions.

The upper layer of material 418 preferably is topsoil, potting soil,sand, soil, organic materials, and combinations thereof. It should benoted that the specific composition of the upper layer of material 418will vary depending on the plant being grown therein. The middle layerof material 420 preferably is cellulose fiber material, which can beobtained from the bark, wood or leaves of plants, or from a plant-basedmaterial. The middle layer of material 418 functions as a sponge,holding water for the plant 410 to use as needed. Preferably, the middlelayer of material 420 is palm fronds and is between 2 and 3 inchesthick. The lower layer of material 422 is preferably sand, hay, gravel,tree bark or wood chips, and combinations thereof, and other materialshaving the same type of properties with regard to facilitating drainageof water. Preferably the lower layer of material 422 is about 4 inchesthick. In the event there is rain or flooding, and the upper layer ofmaterial 418 and the middle layer of material 420 are saturated withwater, any excess water must be able to leave the container 402. Anexample of an acceptable lower layer of material 422 is date palm woodchips due to their purported antibacterial properties.

The hollow irrigation line 406 is configured to deliver water to theplanting pot 400 and facilitate growth of the plant 410 planted withinthe container 402. The irrigation line 406 can be made from polyvinylchloride (PVC), plastic, or metal, and is coupled to the water source,such as irrigation pumps, utilized the grower. The irrigation line 406is typically from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch in inside diameterand can have a pressure rating from about 0 to about 60 PSI.

There can be more than one irrigation line 406. The irrigation line 406comprises an upper portion 424 above the top surface 416 of the plantingmedium 404 and a lower portion 426 within the planting medium 404. Asbest seen in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the lower portion 426 of theirrigation line 406 comprises multiple openings to permit irrigationwater to flow there through into the planting medium 404. Preferablyabout 2 feet of the lower portion 426 of the irrigation line 406 isperforated.

The moisture sensor 408 (as discussed above with respect to otherembodiments) is disposed within the planting medium 404.

A method of planting a plant 410 comprising the steps of: a) graspingthe planting pot 402; b) placing the planting pot 402 within a groundsurface 428; and c) before or after step b) planting a plant 410 in theplanting medium 404.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a system 600 for growinga plurality of plants 410 in a row. The system 600 comprises a trench602 disposed within a ground surface 604, at least two sheets ofbiodegradable material 606, and a planting medium for plants 404.

The trench 602 has an open top 610 flush with the ground surface 604, aclosed bottom 612 below the ground surface 604, two opposed sides 614and two opposed ends (not shown). Typical dimensions of the trench 602are 28 inches wide at the top 610, 20 inches wide at the bottom 612, andabout 300 feet in length. These dimensions can vary depending on thecrops being planted.

The at least two sheets of biodegradable material 606 are located withinthe trench 602. At least one sheet 606 is disposed along one side 614 ofthe trench 602, and at least one other sheet 606 is disposed along theopposed side 614 of the trench 602. Each sheet is approximately 1 inchthick, 14 inches tall, and 24 inches long. Optionally, a plurality ofsheets 606 are laid end to end to so that they form a single long sheetrunning the length of the trench 602 on each side 614. Each sheet 606has a bottom edge 616 proximate the bottom 612 of trench 602 and a topedge 618 proximate the open top 610 of the trench 602, wherein thedistance between bottom edges 616 of the sheets 606 (about 20 inches) isless than the distance between the top edges 618 of the sheets 606(about 28 inches). In this way, the sheets 606 are angled slightlyoutward, from bottom to top, creating an open top portion that is widerthan an open bottom portion.

Regarding the planting medium 404, irrigation line 406, and moisturesensor 408, when the same reference numbers are used in differentembodiments of the invention, they are substantially the same/similar.

More than one irrigation line 406 can be spaced along the trench 602 toensure adequate water delivery to all plants 410 planted in the plantingmedium 404.

More than one moisture sensor 408 can be spaced along the trench 602 aswell.

A method of planting a plurality of plants 410 in a row comprising thesteps of: a) digging the trench 602; b) grasping the two sheets ofbiodegradable material 606; c) placing the two sheets of biodegradablematerial 606 within the trench 602, one sheet 606 disposed along eachopposed side 614 of the trench 602; d) placing planting medium 404between the two sheets 606; and e) after step d) planting a plurality ofplants 410 in a row in the planting medium 404.

The invention has the following advantages:

1. The system minimizes the amount of resources needed by preciselyapplying water and nutrients directly to the root zone of the plants.

2. Because the planting medium is used only in the root zone, theplanting medium can be rid of pathogens and pests prior to planting, andis more effective at supporting plant growth than the surrounding soil.

3. Water is applied based upon precise measurement of soil water status,thus maximizing plant productivity will using no more water thannecessary.

4. The system confines plant roots to the area of greatest productivity,but also allows for leaching of salts. The need for leaching varies withwater quality, but leaching is essential in arid regions (e.g.California) where water has sufficient salts to damage crops if notallowed to drain out of the root system.

5. The basic components of the system—the clay lining and the plantfiber bottom—are all natural and can be disposed of on site. However,the system is designed to last for years when high quality drip tape andperiod replacement of planting medium are used.

Although the invention has been described in terms of a preferredembodiment, nevertheless, changes and modifications can be made which donot depart from the spirit, scope and teachings of the invention. Suchchanges and modifications are deemed to fall within the purview of thepresent invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A planting pot comprising: a) a biodegradablecontainer comprising an open top portion and an open bottom portion; b)a planting medium for a plant located within the container, the plantingmedium comprising a top surface, an upper layer of material, a lowerlayer of material, and a middle layer of material disposed between theupper and lower layers of material; c) a hollow irrigation linecomprising an upper portion above the top surface of the planting mediumand a lower portion within the planting medium, at least a portion ofthe lower portion of the irrigation line comprising multiple openings topermit irrigation water to flow there through into the planting medium;d) a moisture sensor disposed within the planting medium; and e) a plantplanted in the container.
 2. The planting pot of claim 1, wherein thebiodegradable container is made from clay.
 3. The planting pot of claim1, wherein the upper layer of material is selected from the groupconsisting of topsoil, potting soil, sand, organic materials, andcombinations thereof, the middle layer of material is palm fronds andthe lower layer of material is tree bark.
 4. The planting pot of claim1, wherein at least a portion of the container is disposed within theground.
 5. A planting pot comprising: a) a container comprising an opentop portion; b) a planting medium for a plant located within thecontainer, the planting medium comprising a plurality of layers ofmaterial; and c) a hollow irrigation line comprising an upper portionabove the top surface of the planting medium and a lower portion withinthe planting medium, at least a portion of the lower portion of theirrigation line comprising multiple openings to permit irrigation waterto flow there through into the planting medium.
 6. The planting pot ofclaim 5, wherein the planting medium comprises an upper layer ofmaterial, a lower layer of material, and a middle layer of materialdisposed between the upper and lower layers of material.
 7. The plantingpot of claim 6, wherein the upper layer of material is selected from thegroup consisting of topsoil, potting soil, sand, organic materials, andcombinations thereof, the middle layer of material is palm fronds, andthe lower layer of material is tree bark.
 8. The planting pot of claim5, further comprising at least one moisture sensor disposed within theplanting medium.
 9. The planting pot of claim 5, wherein the containeris biodegradable.
 10. The planting pot of claim 5, wherein the bottomportion of the container is located below a ground surface.
 11. A methodof planting a plant comprising the steps of: a) grasping the plantingpot of claim 5; b) placing the planting pot within a ground surface; andc) before or after step b) planting a tree in the planting medium.
 12. Asystem for growing a plurality of plants in a row, the systemcomprising: a) a trench disposed within a ground surface, the trenchhaving an open top proximate the ground surface, a closed bottom belowthe ground surface, two opposed sides and two opposed ends; b) twosheets of biodegradable material, one sheet disposed along each opposedside of the trench, each sheet having a bottom edge proximate to thebottom of the trench and a top edge proximate to the open top of thetrench, wherein a distance between bottom edges of the sheets is lessthan a distance between the top edges of the sheets; and c) a plantingmedium for plants, the planting medium comprising a top surface, anupper layer of material, a lower layer of material, and a middle layerof material disposed between the upper and lower layers of material. 13.The system of claim 12, wherein the planting medium comprises an upperlayer of material, a lower layer of material, and a middle layer ofmaterial disposed between the upper and lower layers of material. 14.The system of claim 13, wherein the upper layer of material is selectedfrom the group consisting of topsoil and potting soil, the middle layerof material is palm fronds, and the lower layer of material is treebark.
 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising at least onemoisture sensor disposed within the planting medium.
 15. A method ofplanting a plurality of plants in a row comprising the steps of: a)digging a trench; b) grasping the two sheets of biodegradable materialof claim 12; c) placing the two sheets of biodegradable material withinthe trench, one sheet disposed along each opposed side of the trench; d)placing planting medium between the two sheets; and e) after step d)planting a plurality of plants in a row in the planting medium.